The Witches (2020)
Synopsis:
A young orphaned boy moves to rural Alabama to live with his loving grandmother in late 1967. When they encounter a group of deceptively glamorous but thoroughly diabolical witches, his wise grandmother quickly takes him to a seaside resort for safety. Unfortunately, they unknowingly arrive at the exact moment when the world's Grand High Witch has gathered her followers at the same location. This family-friendly adaptation blends comedy, fantasy, and mild horror as the boy and his grandmother must navigate the dangerous situation they've stumbled into. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and featuring Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch and Octavia Spencer as the protective grandmother, the story follows their attempts to outwit these sinister forces threatening children everywhere.
Where To Watch: The Witches
Parental Feedback
The Witches (2020) blends fantasy adventure with horror-comedy elements, delivering a story that balances whimsical moments with genuinely frightening sequences. Parents should be prepared for a film that shifts between lighthearted humor and darker, more intense scenes featuring witches with disturbing transformations and menacing behavior. The pacing moves briskly through its nearly two-hour runtime, combining family-friendly themes of bravery and love with unsettling imagery that may prove too intense for younger or more sensitive viewers.
Why Kids Should Watch The Witches (2020)
The Witches (2020) offers several positive elements that can engage and inspire young viewers.
The relationship between the orphaned boy and his grandmother showcases unconditional love and the importance of family bonds, demonstrating how caring adults can provide comfort and protection during difficult times. Their connection serves as the emotional heart of the story, emphasizing that family extends beyond traditional definitions.
The narrative celebrates courage and resourcefulness as the young protagonist faces extraordinary dangers with determination and quick thinking. Children can learn that bravery doesn't mean being fearless, but rather standing up against evil even when afraid.
The fantasy elements spark imagination and creativity, transporting viewers to a world where magic exists and ordinary children can become heroes. The seaside resort setting and the concept of hidden witches living among us provide rich material for post-viewing discussions and imaginative play.
The film features strong performances from a diverse cast, including Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, and Stanley Tucci, offering quality entertainment that showcases talented actors bringing memorable characters to life. The visual effects and creative design choices create a visually engaging experience that holds children's attention.
Why Kids Shouldn't Watch The Witches (2020)
Parents should consider several concerns before allowing younger children to view The Witches (2020).
The horror elements are genuinely frightening, with witches displaying disturbing physical features and transformations that may cause nightmares in sensitive children. The Grand High Witch's appearance and behavior are intentionally designed to be terrifying, which may be too intense for viewers under eight or nine years old.
The story begins with the protagonist becoming an orphan, introducing themes of loss and grief that could be emotionally challenging for young viewers to process. Children who have experienced similar losses may find these scenes particularly upsetting or triggering.
The film includes scenes where children are transformed into mice and face genuine peril, including threats of extermination by the witches. These sequences, while ultimately resolved, create sustained tension and fear that may overwhelm younger audience members who cannot yet distinguish fantasy from reality.
Verdict: Parent Approved
The Witches (2020) earns conditional approval for families with children aged 9 and up who can handle scary imagery and darker themes, though parents should preview it first to determine age-appropriateness for their individual child.
What Parents Should Know About The Witches (2020)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this Movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | Yes, the protagonist demonstrates bravery, loyalty to family, and the importance of listening to wise elders, while the grandmother models unconditional love and protective care. |
| Does this Movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | Yes, the opening establishes the boy as an orphan who has lost his parents, and several scenes feature frightening witch encounters that create sustained tension and fear. |
| Does this Movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | Yes, the witches' evil plans ultimately backfire, and their cruelty toward children leads to their defeat, demonstrating that harmful actions have negative consequences. |
| Does this Movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | The film emphasizes the importance of working together, as the protagonist and other children must collaborate to survive and overcome the witches' threat. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | Yes, the story reinforces that love and family bonds are powerful forces, that courage can triumph over evil, and that appearances can be deceiving. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
Parental reactions to The Witches (2020) tend to be mixed, with opinions divided largely along age-appropriateness lines. Many parents appreciate the film's high production values, strong performances, and faithful adaptation of darker fantasy themes, noting that it provides quality family entertainment for older children who enjoy spooky stories. However, a significant number of parents express concern about the intensity of the horror elements, particularly the witches' frightening appearances and the peril faced by child characters. Some families report that younger viewers found certain scenes too scary and experienced nightmares afterward, while others note that children aged 10 and up handled the content well and enjoyed the adventure. Parents generally agree that the film works best when adults preview it first and watch alongside children to provide context and reassurance during scarier moments.
Official The Witches Trailer
Why Kids Love The Witches
Kids love watching the hero boy and his grandma race against time when they discover the Grand High Witch's sinister plan at the seaside resort. The fast-paced chasing scenes keep viewers on the edge of their seats as the young hero narrowly escapes detection while sneaking around the hotel. Every close call delivers heart-pounding excitement as he dodges the witches' watchful eyes.
The movie delivers hilarious awkward situations when the boy teams up with Bruno Jenkins after they both get caught in the witches' scheme. Their funny disguises and clever problem-solving create non-stop entertainment as they navigate the resort trying to outsmart the glamorous but dangerous Grand High Witch. The duo's near misses while gathering clues about the witches' secret meeting generate laugh-out-loud moments.
The loyal team of Grandma, the hero boy, and their new friends work together to save the day using quick thinking and brave action. Their teamwork shines during the chaotic scenes at Mr. Stringer's hotel, where they must fix the problem before it's too late. The strong family bond between the boy and his loving grandma adds extra thrills as they help each other escape tight spots and become the heroes who stop the witches' wicked plans.